From January up to May 2020, nineteen (19) people were caught in acts of stealing electricity as an outcome of enhanced REG’s efforts to combat.
Those who were caught in electricity fraud were arrested and their cases are being handled by the courts of law.
On 10th January, 2020 in Gasabo District, Kacyiru Sector, Kinyinya Cell, Kagugu Village; REG staff facilitated by security organs and local communities caught Tugizwenayo Jean Aimé Pierre a tenant of Mujawamariya Claudine stealing electricity.
On 07th January, 2020 in Musanze District, Nyange Sector, Kabeza Cell, Kibingo Village; three people TURATSINZE Bienvenue, TUYISHIME Emmanuel and their aid were arrested accused of stealing electricity in their welding workshop.
On 11th March, 2020 six people (6) namely UWASE Cedrick (24 yrs), RUKUNDO Sylvain (23 yrs) IRADUKUNDA Olive (28 yrs), TWAGIRIMANA Eric (24 yrs), IYADUHAYE Leontine (25 yrs),NKURUNZIZA Innocent (24 yrs) were caught in different villages of Gacaca Sector, Musanze District accused of electricity fraud whereby they swindle local communities to connect them to the grid in exchange of money.
These six people named above were working under a ghost company called "Chris Energy Ltd" of NZIYONSENGA Christophe.
On 17th April 2020 three people; Sudi Claude (18yrs) Ntakirutimana Gilbert (20yrs) and Niyigena Emmanuel (19yrs) were caught in Mimuli Sector, Nyagatare District stealing electric wires on the new line that was being built in Mimuli.
On 21st April, 2020 Nsabimana Provier who was constructing illegal lines & stealing electric meters in Nunga Cell, Gahanga, Kicukiro District was caught red-handed in those malpractice acts and apprehended in Kicukiro.
On 05th May, 2020 in Musanze District, two people namely ZIRIMWABAGABO Emmanuel and NGAYABERURA Jean Baptiste were caught accused of stealing electricity.
On 20th May, 2020 in Rulindo District, Shyorongi Sector, Bugarama Cell, two people; Ntagungira Noel and Kavamahanga Pacifique were caught stealing electricity in their milling machine and arrested immediately.
All these fraudsters accept the crimes they committed and their cases were submitted to Rwanda Investigation Bureau before being handled by courts of law.
Nkubito Stanley; the head for energy efficiency and revenue protection at EUCL-REG condemns the act of stealing electricity and says that “REG will not tolerate such crimes and measures to curb electricity theft have been reinforced.”
He further says that electricity theft hinders the development of the country and may cause incidents.
Nkubito says that many of these people were apprehended in facilitation of local communities.
He also said that announcements on radio and TV have been made to call the public to collaborate with REG and security organs in discovering and arresting these people stealing electricity and rewards are planned for those collaborating to apprehend fraudsters.
Theft of electricity is a crime and is punishable by fines and/or incarceration.
Theft of electricity is punishable by the law N°52/2018 of 13/08/2018 modifying Law Nº21/2011 of 23/06/2011 governing electricity in Rwanda as modified to date.
Electricity theft is punishable whether stealing electricity connected to the grid or off-grid.
